Will Reeve Reveals First Sign of Testicular Cancer — and How He Nearly Dismissed It as ‘Nothing’

ABC News correspondent Will Reeve has opened up about his recent battle with testicular cancer, revealing that the first warning sign was something he initially believed would simply go away.

Reeve, 34, said he noticed a tender lump on his left testicle while showering in April. Although the discovery concerned him, he initially assumed it was nothing serious.

“I assumed it was nothing or would go away,” Reeve said, according to interviews published after he shared his experience publicly. ABC News+1

The lump remained, however, prompting his wife, Amanda Dubin Reeve, to encourage him to have it examined.

The sign Reeve almost ignored

Reeve said the lump did not disappear after several weeks. At his wife’s urging, he underwent an ultrasound, which revealed a mass.

Doctors subsequently diagnosed him with testicular cancer. Reeve underwent surgery in May to remove the affected testicle, a procedure known as an orchiectomy. People.com+1

Further testing showed that most of the tumor was embryonal carcinoma, an aggressive type of testicular cancer. Reeve later underwent a lengthy operation to remove lymph nodes, with three of the nodes found to contain cancer, followed by two rounds of chemotherapy. Page Six+1

Reeve has said that he was declared cancer-free following treatment, with a September 8 screening showing no evidence of cancer. People.com

Why a testicular lump should be checked

A lump or swelling in a testicle is one of the main symptoms associated with testicular cancer. Other possible signs include an increase in the size of a testicle, an ache or pain in the testicle or scrotum, or a feeling that the scrotum has become unusually heavy, firm or hard. nhs.uk

Importantly, a testicular lump does not automatically mean cancer. Many lumps and swellings have other causes, including cysts and enlarged veins. Medical professionals nevertheless recommend getting any new or unusual change checked rather than trying to determine the cause yourself. nhs.uk

An ultrasound is among the tests doctors may use when investigating a testicular lump or other concerning change. nhs.uk

Reeve's message to other men

By speaking publicly about his diagnosis, Reeve said he hopes his experience will encourage people to pay attention to changes in their bodies rather than assuming they are insignificant.

His story also highlights an important point about testicular cancer: symptoms can initially seem relatively minor. A change that appears temporary or harmless may still warrant medical attention if it persists.

Health authorities recommend becoming familiar with what is normal for your testicles so that changes in size, shape, weight, texture or the presence of a lump are easier to recognize. nhs.uk

For Reeve, what initially seemed like “nothing” ultimately became the first indication of a serious illness. His experience serves as a reminder that persistent or unusual changes should be discussed with a healthcare professional rather than simply ignored.

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